An enhanced intelligent database engine by neural network and data mining

An Intelligent Database Engine (IDE) is developed to solve any classification problem by providing two integrated features: decision-making by a backpropagation (BP) neural network (NN) and decision support by Apriori, a data mining (DM) algorithm. Previous experimental results show the accuracy of NN (90%) and DM (60%) to be drastically distinct. Thus, efforts to improve DM accuracy is crucial to ensure a well-balanced hybrid architecture. The poor DM performance is caused by either too few rules or too many poor rules which are generated in the classifier. Thus, the first problem is curbed by generating multiple level rules, by incorporating multiple attribute support and level confidence to the initial Apriori. The second problem is tackled by implementing two strengthening procedures, confidence and Bayes verification to filter out the unpredictive rules. Experiments with more datasets are carried out to compare the performance of initial and improved Apriori. Great improvement is obtained for the latte

Role of calpain and cofilin in apoptosis regulation

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Application Of Absorptive Treatments On Traffic Noise Barriers In Florida

In this thesis, the parallel barrier analysis feature in the Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM), which is based on RAYVERB was used to explore the effects of multiple reflections due to single and parallel barriers and the use of absorptive treatment. Database was developed from the data collected from previous research efforts was used to generate a best fit equation model that can be used as a predetermining tool to determine the magnitude of parallel barrier insertion loss. The best fit equation model was then used to test against measured/model result and TNM prediction results for its validity. Absorptive materials were also studied such that 3 top of them were selected and recommended for Florida highway barrier use. It was found that the top three absorptive treatments for use on Florida highway barriers have been determined to be cementitous material, metal wool and glass fiber. These materials can be used to reduce the sound reflections for single and parallel barriers. The developed best fit equation model from this research is Deg = -2.17NRC - CW[superscript 0.42] + 1.97eln(BH) + RH[superscript 0.29] + DBB[superscript 0.27]; the prediction results give moderately high R[superscript 2] value of 0.55 if compared to the results from database. Prediction results from best fit equation model was also found to be consistent with the results from the measure/modeled results, providing further proof of the validity of the model. However, if compared results from equation model, TNM and measured/model (measured and model compared results using ANSI method), TNM was shown to provide higher insertion loss degradation. It was found that the most effective placement of absorptive material was the pattern which covers the barrier from the bottom up; it was also found that only about 60% from the bottom of the barrier area requires covering with high NRC absorptive treatment (NRC greater than or equals to 0.8) without sacrificing insertion loss. Also, if the barrier area near the top includes an easily obtainable NRC value of 0.4, only 40% to 50% of the bottom barrier needs absorptive treatment with a higher, more expensive NRC rating. These findings can substantially reduce the cost of conventional absorptive barrier which have full coverage of high NRC absorptive treatment. This research has begun important improvements in noise barrier design, additional work can be continued to further verify all the findings in this thesis such that easier and better equation model can be developed to calculate insertion loss degradation and cheaper absorptive barrier with less absorptive material usage can be built

INTEGRATION OF MULTIPLE UNMANNED SYSTEMS IN AN URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE ENVIRONMENT

In view of the local, regional and global security trends over the past decade, the threats of disaster to the populace inhabiting urbanized areas are real and there is a need for increased vigilance. There can be multiple causes for urban disaster natural disasters, terrorist attack and urban warfare are all viable. This thesis focused on the event in which an urban search and rescue operation is required due to the aftermath of a terrorist activity. Systems engineering techniques were utilized to analyze the problem space and suggested a plausible solution. Application of unmanned vehicles in the scenario enhanced the reconnaissance, intelligence and surveillance capabilities of the responding forces, while limiting the exposure risk of personnel. One of the many challenges facing unmanned systems in a cluttered environment is a capability to rapidly generate reactive obstacle avoidance trajectories. A direct method of calculus of variations was applied for the unmanned platforms to achieve mission objectives collaboratively, and perform real-time trajectory optimization for a collision-free flight. Dynamic models were created to enable simulated operations within the thesis design scenario. Experiments conducted in an indoor lab verified the unmanned systems ability to avoid obstacles and carry out collaborative missions successfully.http://archive.org/details/integrationofmul1094532805Civilian, Defence Science and Technology Agency, Singapor

Pattern generalisation in secondary school mathematics : students’ strategies, justifications and beliefs and the influence of task features

Number pattern generalisation is often regarded a difficult topic for students to learn. To\ud explore this perception, the present study undertakes an empirical investigation with the\ud main aim of providing a comprehensive description of how 14-year-old secondary school\ud students in Singapore generalise figural patterns and justify their generalisations when\ud varying the formats of pattern display and the types of function. Comprising two interrelated\ud parts, the study first examines 515 students’ strategies and justifications and probes\ud systematically the influence of the formats of pattern display and the types of function on\ud their generalisations through a specially developed paper-and-pencil test. The other part,\ud through a specially designed questionnaire, looks at their beliefs about which strategy\ud would best help them to derive the rule for predicting any term of a figural pattern as well\ud as their ability to construct the rule using their choice of strategy.\ud The first part uses an independent-measures research design to examine whether different\ud formats of pattern display have any effect on students’ rule construction and a repeatedmeasures\ud research design to determine whether their rule construction is influenced by the\ud different types of function. In the second part, a survey study is employed with all students\ud asked to identify their choice of best-help generalising strategy. This is then followed by\ud interviews with 16 of the 515 students to probe whether they are able to derive a correct\ud functional rule using their chosen strategy.\ud This study complements many previous studies mainly undertaken in the west in that its\ud findings indicate that the more academic students are competent in developing a functional\ud rule for linear patterns but falters when working with quadratic patterns. There is a\ud widespread failure of the less academic students in both linear and quadratic patterns,\ud confirming the oft-regarded view that expressing generality is elusive. Successful students\ud perceive the patterns in several ways and generate wide-ranging functional rules,\ud predominantly symbolic, to describe them. They employ a variety of generalising\ud strategies, especially the figural type, and some of which are new in the literature. Both the\ud test and the survey confirm that the figural strategy involving the breaking up of the whole\ud configurations into non-overlapping parts is their clear favourite. For rule justification,\ud verifying it using the numerical cues and drawing diagrams to explain its development are\ud their favourite approaches. Task features such as the format of pattern display and the type\ud of functions do contribute to student difficulties in generalisation. Based on these findings,\ud some useful teaching strategies for teachers and teacher educators are then suggested to\ud help them improve their teaching of pattern generalisation. The findings also point the\ud direction for future research studies on pattern generalisation by suggesting some\ud recommendations for researchers

Intimacy at a distance: A history of United States-Singapore foreign relations from 1965 to 1975

Singapore became an independent state on 9 August 1965, six months after United States forces landed in Vietnam in March 1965. As part of an effort to contain the influence of the Soviet Union and People’s Republic of China in Southeast Asia, Washington deployed a strategy that encompassed political, economic and defence engagements with non-communist countries in the region. Because of its strategic location and significant population of overseas Chinese, Singapore became a key country in Washington’s policy towards Southeast Asia. Between 1965 and 1975, Washington aimed to maintain its access to Singapore’s naval dockyards and to keep the island state’s economy viable, so as to limit the risk of communist subversion in Singapore. The Singapore government’s objectives were to preserve its legitimacy to govern by developing Singapore’s economy and boosting its security during the Cold War. In order to gain international recognition of its independence after separation from Malaysia, the Singapore government decided to join the Non-aligned Movement and maintained an image of neutralism in the bipolar conflict between the US and the USSR. After a rocky start in the US-Singapore relationship in late 1965, America’s relations with Singapore improved in 1966. Nevertheless, the Singapore government seemed to distance itself from the US while drawing nearer to the Soviet Union between the late 1960s and the early 1970s. Drawing from archival documents from the United States, Britain and Australia, this dissertation presents a history of US-Singapore foreign relations during the period of the Vietnam War, and argues that relations between the two countries were determined by the interplay of America’s policy of containment and Singapore’s attempt at projecting a non-aligned foreign policy stance. Although the first decade of Singapore’s independence established the United States as an indispensable contributor to Singapore’s economic growth and security during the Cold War, the process was not always smooth because the leaders in both countries recognised that their interests were best met when Singapore and the US maintained political distance from each other. This study adds to a current trend in Cold War historiography in Southeast Asia by demonstrating how American strategy was influenced by smaller states such as Singapore. The Singapore government attempted to sway US strategy in the region and was able to achieve its goals when it played the Soviet card. Non-communist Southeast Asian leaders, including Lee Kuan Yew, exerted pressure on the US government to maintain troops in Vietnam and prolonged the Vietnam war. This study establishes a link between a prosperous Southeast Asia and a Vietnam that became a war zone and proposes that Singapore was able to prosper not only due to good governance, but also because of America’s interest in keeping Singapore economically viable

Research on promoting borneo cultural festival

This research leads to the awareness of the importance in promotional and advertising campaign of Borneo Cultural Festival, as well as the perception of the Malaysian society regarding the Borneo Cultural Festival that is considered as one of the extravaganza festivals in Sarawak. This study is measured through a qualitative and quantitative research. From the research, it can be concluded that the event (BCF) needed an effective and thorough advertising campaign to create awareness in order to attract audiences. Thus, this research will focus on promoting the Borneo Cultural Festival to become one of the successful festivals in Malaysia

Regulation of Cullin RING E3 Ubiquitin Ligases by CAND1 In Vivo

Cullin RING ligases are multi-subunit complexes consisting of a cullin protein which forms a scaffold onto which the RING protein Rbx1/2 and substrate receptor subunits assemble. CAND1, which binds to cullins that are not conjugated with Nedd8 and not associated with substrate receptors, has been shown to function as a positive regulator of Cullin ligases in vivo. Two models have been proposed to explain this requirement: (i) CAND1 sequesters cullin proteins and thus prevents autoubiquitination of substrate receptors, and (ii) CAND1 is required to promote the exchange of bound substrate receptors. Using mammalian cells, we show that CAND1 is predominantly cytoplasmically localized and that cullins are the major CAND1 interacting proteins. However, only small amounts of CAND1 bind to Cul1 in cells, despite low basal levels of Cul1 neddylation and approximately equal cytoplasmic endogenous protein concentrations of CAND1 and Cul1. Compared to F-box protein substrate receptors, binding of CAND1 to Cul1 in vivo is weak. Furthermore, preventing binding of F-box substrate receptors to Cul1 does not increase CAND1 binding. In conclusion, our study suggests that CAND1 does not function by sequestering cullins in vivo to prevent substrate receptor autoubiquitination and is likely to regulate cullin RING ligase activity via alternative mechanisms

INTRODUCING A NEW BUSINESS MODEL FOR THE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN SINGAPORE

The current primary healthcare system faces a few main challenges, namely, an ageing population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and a more well-informed and affluent group of patients. This is not unique to Singapore only and a lot of other countries are also undergoing reform in their healthcare system to cope with these challenges. Amidst the challenges, it is also noted that the current primary healthcare market has a relatively high level of competitive rivalry, making entry into the market as a primary healthcare clinic rather difficult. A questionnaire done to illicit the gaps within the current primary healthcare system also shed light that many patients desire more empowerment into their own healthcare management by having more healthcare information and focusing more on preventive care. The paper then proposes to introduce a new new innovative model for primary healthcare delivery in Singapore which takes into account our healthcare challenges and gaps within the primary healthcare system. The concept is that of a ���¢��������concierge medicine���¢�������� model whereby patients experience integrated holistic comprehensive healthcare, incorporating preventive healthcare and regular tracking of their health status, for an annual fee. This model has successfully been launched in the US for the last few years with great benefits for both the doctors and the patients. A few business model set-ups are being recommended, either in collaboration with the US concierge medicine clinics, or alongside existing pharmacies, fitness centres or spas to reap the most benefits for the patients. The paper also proposes ways in which competitive advantage could be accorded to the new clinic so as to create an edge over the competitors and create the most value-add to the patients in terms of health outcomes per dollar of cost expended by the patients. An estimated total funding of $240,000 for the initial start-up and annual recurring monthly costs of$70,000 will be required for the set-up of this clinic model